Blackhawks' Fleury Won't Be Suspended

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 22, 2003

Blackhawks forward Theo Fleury won't be suspended after police said he was intoxicated and involved in a fight at a strip club in Columbus, Ohio.

Fleury has apologized to his teammates. He skated in a pregame warmup Thursday and was to be on the ice that night for Chicago's game against St. Louis.

Doctors treating Fleury in the NHL's substance abuse aftercare program could have placed him in Stage 3 of the program, which carries a minimum six-month suspension.

NHL spokesman Frank Brown has said the league would defer to Fleury's doctors regarding suspension.

Coach Brian Sutter said Thursday that Fleury and two unidentified teammates will be disciplined by the team, but Fleury didn't violate his aftercare program. The Blackhawks said this is an "internal team matter."

"He is in an aftercare program that's going to continue, and that's plain and simple," Sutter said.

Fleury addressed his teammates Wednesday.

"He took responsibility and we accepted his apology," goalie Jocelyn Thibault said Thursday. "I believe Theo, that he wants to get out of this thing."

Fleury has described himself as an alcoholic. Sutter knows Fleury requires more attention than most of his players.

"I worry every second about him," Sutter said. "That's the way he is going to be the rest of his life."

"Theo isn't afraid to face the music," he added. "Sometimes the path on how he does it is a little bit off base. That's where Theo is a little bit different than most people. Some people would run away and hide."

Fleury, who was suspended for the first 25 games of the season after violating the aftercare program, said Wednesday he made a "bad choice" and was ready to accept the consequences.

On Thursday, Fleury left before speaking with reporters.

Officers received a call from an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Pure Platinum strip club early Sunday, said Sgt. Brent Mull, spokesman for the Columbus police department.

According to a report by officer Jason Gunther, Fleury was "intoxicated" and said he'd been "hit several times by about nine bouncers" at the club. He refused medical attention for a cut above his left eye, and refused to give his address or phone number, though he did tell Gunther he played for the Blackhawks.